Breathless Temptation [Texas Stallions 2] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) (6 page)

He tucked his gun into the back of his pants and moved to stand in front of her. Grabbing her by her shoulders, he forced her to look up at him. “Delilah, I know he’s gotten wedged deep under your skin, but you can’t allow him to remain there.” She began to interject, but he stopped her. “I also realize it’s easier said than done, but I know you can do it. You’re a strong, remarkable woman, and you have to keep your wits about you or you’re going to go insane.”

Her shoulders slumped forward, and her head hung down as if she’d been defeated. “What am I supposed to do, Clay? I can’t keep running. It looks like no matter where I go or what I do, he’ll find me.”

He took a deep breath, filling his lungs to capacity, and then slowly released the air. “I want you to do something for me.”

She glanced up to meet his gaze. “What?”

“I want you to stay with me for a few days.”

She shook her head vigorously. “Oh, no, I couldn’t do that.”

His brow furrowed, wondering what was so wrong with staying with him. He was her safest bet in this town. He was the damn sheriff. “Why?” he snapped, suspicion pummeling his brain. “Is it because of Hunter?”

“No, of course not, but I also don’t feel right about staying with a man I just met.”

The slow arch in his brow deepened, and he felt the muscles in his jaw tick. “You know me better than anyone else in this town, plus you know who and what I am. How could that not be your best option?”

She huffed. “My best option is to get the hell out of this town.”

He frowned. “Right, are you going to steal a car?”

“Shit!” she hissed and pushed him away. “You know, you really are annoying, and I hate you right now.”

“Fine, hate me all you want for trying to keep you safe. I don’t care. Now, pack up your belongings and get your ass in my truck.” She gasped. Her eyes were so wide, he saw mostly white. “Don’t look at me like that, Delilah. I don’t care if you have a temper tantrum all the way to my house and hate my guts forever. You’re not staying here, and I’m not leaving you alone, so get your ass moving.”

He practically growled at her, but at that point he just couldn’t take her whining and crying over something she couldn’t control. She had to get a clue that this asshole had it out for her, and she could either run scared for the rest of her life or stay and fight. He preferred she fought.

He flipped open his cell phone and quickly dialed the station, requesting his deputy get out to the motel immediately to document the scene. This was just another incident that could help them nail Warren Michaels. Clay was prepared to give his own statement of what he discovered on his arrival, but getting Delilah away from here was a priority. He had to get her to safety first.

He stood by the door, keeping an eye on everything as she mumbled to herself and packed her suitcase. If he didn’t think the situation was so serious, he would’ve laughed. She was acting like a spoiled child, and he was sure no one had ever spoken to her a day in her life the way he had. Honestly, he couldn’t help it. He had to get her to see things his way. Leaving her here where Warren obviously knew where to find her was not the brightest idea, especially since he’d clearly left his panty-abduction calling card for her to find. With him was the perfect place for her to stay.

Nudging her way past him, she tried to toss her suitcase into the back of his truck. Reaching around her to grab the suitcase, he said, “Here, let me help.” Instantly, she shoved him aside using her elbow, and he bit his lip. He wanted to curse, but he merely pressed his teeth together. “You know you just assaulted an officer?”

“Really, I thought I was assaulting a jackass.”

He pulled the suitcase from her fingers and put it in the back. She was lashing out at him because she was scared. He understood that. Warren apparently knew where she was and that was freaking her out. Clay was simply a convenient target. “I’ve been called worse.”

Huffing out a breath, she hopped up into the truck, and he closed the door after her. This woman was likely to be the death of him. She burned hotter than a fire and colder than an artic wind. He was certainly going to have his hands full.

* * * *

Settling in the guest bedroom at Clay’s house, she didn’t bother unpacking much. She had no intentions of staying long. In fact, in the morning, she had every purpose in mind to find the nearest car dealership and buy herself a new car even if it was the biggest pile of shit on the lot.

With a heavy sigh, she sat down on the twin bed and was pleasantly surprised to find that the mattress wasn’t as hard as a rock. The room itself was even serene, peaceful. Clay didn’t have a woman’s touch when it came to decorating, but the soft colors felt right at home and inviting. The sheer white curtains and bedding actually matched. The room was accented by bulky, rustic furnishings that included a long wall dresser and mirror, a rocking chair, a nightstand, and a bed.

The most surprising thing she noted was how clean everything had been when she arrived. On the drive over, she had pictured a typical bachelor pad, one covered in dirty laundry and dishes and empty pizza boxes stacked on top of the coffee table that was really used as an ottoman. However, that wasn’t the case at all. Clay Garrett took pride in his home, and that was more impressive to her than any amount of money.

Even though he’d ordered her around like a child, she didn’t really mean to respond to him like she was a brat. One thing she hated more than anything was being treated like a spoiled rich kid, but then again, that’s exactly how she was behaving.

For the time being, it was best that she remain isolated in her room. She needed to keep her distance from the alluring sheriff, who left her breathless and wanting, distracted and frustrated. Besides the fact that she’d clearly hurt him when he’d seen her kissing Hunter, she couldn’t risk saying something else that would cause either of them more unease.

If only Clay could’ve seen the image in her mind that had her kissing him, too, maybe then he’d understand how confused she was by everything happening between the three of them. They’d both played a part in saving her life, and they both somehow effortlessly infected her heart. She wanted so badly to run her fingers over every tight-muscled inch of their bodies and taste the flesh she was sure would be sweet and salty.

Surprisingly to herself, she desired two men that she could never have, and those alarming emotions churned deep within her soul.

As for Clay, there was something incredibly powerful about him, and so dangerously sexy. Maybe it was the fact that he saved her life. Maybe it was because he was a familiar face in a town full of strangers. Maybe it was the perfect calm he placed over her, making her feel safe and secure, something she hadn’t felt in a long time.

She didn’t know, but her instincts were telling her it was something way deeper than any of that. Clay was the reason she could use to persuade herself to linger in a town like Temptation. How strange that she had thought that same thing about Hunter.

She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, thinking about how much she would love to find a man like him to fall in love with. To find a man like Clay to spend her life getting to know, and to finally experience what it would be like to enjoy every waking minute in that passion-filled haze.

Suddenly, an overwhelming dread flooded through her system. She knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that that would never happen as long as Warren Michaels was somehow a part of her life. He’d never allow her to find someone like that. Warren would do just about anything to see that her life was ruined if she wasn’t aligning herself with him specifically. She really had no idea just how far he would go.

Kicking off her shoes, she decided to get ready for bed. Stripping out of her sundress and underclothes, she pulled out the nightshirt from her suitcase and put it on. Crawling underneath the sheet and comforter, she curled up on one side and prayed that sleep would take her fast. Reaching over, she turned off the light, and the room sank into total darkness.

* * * *

The moment she opened her eyes, she knew he was watching her. Her heart raced with dread the same way it always did when she realized he was ogling her. The warning signs were everywhere, and the creepiness that crawled along her skin, alarming her that he was near, was stronger than ever. Warren had once again found her. Alone.

Before she could scream for help, he was on her. His lanky, naked body covered hers, and he used his legs to part her thighs, wedging himself against her. The weight of his frame pressed her down. His hand covered her mouth, preventing her from crying out, while his lips kissed and suckled her body. Wet caresses covered her cheeks, chin, neck, and chest. Her stomach quivered as the fear of helplessness settled around her. She was not going to get away this time. This time he would succeed in violating her. She was too weak against him, and there was nothing she could do to stop him from hurting her.

Struggling with all her might, somehow she wiggled one hand free and clawed at his eyes. He growled in anger, and within moments she was screaming at the top of her lungs for help. His hard, powerful fist crashed down upon her temple, silencing her. Vision blurry and unsteady, she wondered how long it would be before he possessed her, took from her what he’d always warned he would.

Warren’s vile breath brushed along her ear as he growled with contempt, “You never should’ve run from me, Delilah. I warned you what would happen if you did.”

Her eyes widened as unyielding fear drenched every inch of her. The moment her vision locked in on the wicked grin that eclipsed his lips, she hated him more than she ever had. Then, he dipped his head lower, and she did all she could do. She screamed.

“Delilah! Delilah, wake up!” Clay’s voice was loud and fierce as he called out to her, over and over again, ripping her from her treacherous nightmare.

Sweaty and breathless, she shakily sat up. Tears soaked her cheeks as she realized that it was only a dream and she was still safe and secure with Clay. Instantly, she wrapped her arms around his neck and allowed the trembling of her body to subside. She didn’t care if he thought she was weak. What mattered to her was that she was with him, safe and protected. The overpowering relief left her body erupting in uncontrollable sobs.

“Shhh, it’s all right, you’re safe now. Whatever was in your dream can’t hurt you now,” he whispered softly against her cheek. “I’ve got you, Delilah. I’ve got you.”

As he held her close, the crisp scent of soap filled her nostrils. Slowly, her sanity was restored as she felt the warmth of his smooth, damp flesh beneath her hands and fingers. Gently, she eased back to look at him.

He sat beside her, hair still wet from the shower he must have been taking. Her eyes swelled at the sight of him. Having his tantalizing body this close and this unclothed on her bed caused her blood to pump wildly through her veins. She licked her lips and glanced down at the towel draped around his hips. A long slit slid high up his strong, muscular thigh. The seductive effect he had on her was spellbinding and a little frightening.

He cleared his throat. “I’m sorry. I would’ve grabbed a robe, but I don’t own one.”

She shook her head and tried to smile. “It’s okay, Clay. I’m glad you’re here. I was a little freaked out by my dream, but I’m not anymore.”

“Do you want to talk about it?”

She pursed her lips together. No, she didn’t want to talk about it. Warren was the devil in her nightmares, and he was never far away, no matter how far she ran. He was the one thing that made her deathly afraid.

“Not really. I’m just glad I’m not alone tonight.” She reached down and squeezed his hand.

Slowly, he reached forward and turned on the light. The glow that illuminated his body made him so much more enticing than he had seemed in just the light that filtered into her room from the hallway. She couldn’t help but feel a little naughty as she envisioned herself licking the droplets of water from his body. Was it wrong to want him to kiss her?

“Look, I’m sorry I acted like an asshole with Hunter today. I never meant for that to happen. It’s just that I may have gotten a little—”

“Jealous,” she blurted out with an arched brow and teasing grin. The idea that the big, strong sheriff had gotten jealous created a wild flutter of excitement that sank deep into the pit of her stomach. She liked the idea that he had those kinds of emotions where she was concerned.

He sighed with a smile, sweeping back a strand of her hair that had fallen forward, tucking it behind her ear. “I guess you could say that.”

For what felt like an eternity, they just stared at each other. Deep-flowing warmth charged up her body and settled around her chest, neck, and face. Hands clammy with nerves, she couldn’t believe how much she wanted Clay, needing him to kiss her and allow her to make love to him. The feelings were almost desperate in nature. It was the strangest, most powerful yearning she’d ever experienced.

“I should probably go,” Clay stammered.

“No, wait,” she said, grabbing hold of his hand as he stood, keeping him from leaving her side. She hadn’t meant to sound so frantic, but she couldn’t help it. For so many reasons, she didn’t want him to leave. She desired him, wanted him to stay with her. Tonight. “I don’t want you to go.”

He studied her, his hand slowly wrapping around hers. “Delilah, I’ll only be across the hall. I’ll keep your door cracked open if it would make you feel more comfortable.”